GROWING worries that Chepstow's old road bridge has a limited future for motor traffic are leading to fears of traffic chaos on both sides of the Wye.

"There is no definite proposal to close the bridge, but it is an old structure that is beginning to show signs of damage from modern traffic," said a Monmouthshire County Council official.

Head of traffic services Bill Parsons said a maintenance shutdown last summer during work on flood defences allowed a thorough examination of the listed structure.

He said the bridge was not dangerous in its present state but a watch was needed.

"It was strengthened some years ago but obviously the ironwork is affected by salt, it being a tidal estuary. It is repainted every five years, but we could soon be at the stage where we could be losing bits of the structure."

Mr Parsons said if the bridge was closed to vehicles it would remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.

And reacting to fears on both sides of the river that re-routed traffic would overload already heavily used routes via the A48 by-pass, he said: "The consequences will have to be examined.

"We have a good idea of the amount of traffic using the bridge from the number of times the traffic lights switch. We will have to assess the impact on the A48."

Sedbury district councillor Ray Birch said he was very concerned about the traffic impact on both the parish and Chepstow's narrow streets, a view echoed by parish chairman Lance Allen.

The matter is being raised at the next meeting of the parish council.